Spring training is expected to improve for the Texas Rangers hitters, who faced an abysmal start, batting a mere .129 over their first two games, including a 6-1 defeat to the San Francisco Giants. Jonah Heim, Ezequiel Duran, Dustin Harris, and Justin Foscue each accounted for one hit among the team’s total of four, with 11 strikeouts and no walks, highlighting a struggle to find their rhythm.

Evan Carter and Adolis García encountered familiar challenges at the plate, striking out multiple times against left-handed pitchers. Carter notably struck out against veteran Enny Romero, while García struggled against fastballs. Jack Leiter stood out with impressive velocity in his first outing, indicating potential for a rotation spot, but he must refine his approach to finish off batters effectively.

The AL West in MLB features a thrilling race with the Houston Astros facing challenges as they slip slightly in the betting odds, currently at +125. The Texas Rangers have surged to +225, while the Seattle Mariners follow at +250. The Los Angeles Angels and Athletics sit at long odds of +3000. The Astros, with a projected win total of 87.5, have seen key losses, including Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander, making their playoff prospects uncertain. Meanwhile, the Rangers bolster their lineup significantly with the return of Jacob deGrom from injury and key additions like Jake Burger and Joc Pederson.

The Mariners, despite a solid starting rotation, have made little to no significant moves and are projected to struggle offensively. The Angels have brought in Yusei Kikuchi and Kenley Jansen but remain underdogs with a projected win total of 71.5. Lastly, the Athletics, with their own challenges, will be competing for recognition in their new home in Sacramento. The top bets include betting against the Astros' win total and betting on the Rangers and Angels to outperform expectations.